SMU Embrey Human Rights hosts ‘World Day Against Death Penalty’ conference Oct. 9-11
SMU’s Embrey Human Rights Program will co-host an Oct. 9-11 conference focused on replacing capital punishment with what program director Rick Halperin describes as “more peaceful and restorative justice.”
DALLAS (SMU) – SMU’s Embrey Human Rights Program will co-host a weekend conference focused on replacing capital punishment with what program director Rick Halperin describes as “more peaceful and restorative justice.”
The SMU program will join the organization Journey of Hope: From Violence to Healing in mounting the conference to support “World Day Against the Death Penalty” Saturday, Oct. 10.
Featured speakers will include murder victims’ family members opposed to the death penalty and former death row inmates exonerated after being found innocent. “These are people who know firsthand the horrors of murder and have moved beyond the urge for revenge,” says Halperin. “They’ve taken the harder road of forgiveness and healing.”
Here is an overview of conference events to be held on the SMU campus:
| Friday Oct. 9 |
A free public talk, 7 to 9 p.m. in McCord Auditorium (third floor, Dallas Hall) with “Journey of Hope” co-founders George White, Marietta Jaeger-Lane, SuZann Bosler and Bill Pelke |
| Saturday Oct. 10 |
Panel discussions and workshops from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Fondren Science Building Room 133. Will include a viewing of the films “Road to Livingston,” “Last Day of Freedom" and “There Will Be No Stay.” |
| Sunday Oct. 11 |
The Rev. Dale Kelley will discuss faith and the death penalty at 9:30 a.m. in McCord Auditorium (third floor, Dallas Hall). The conference closes with 10:30 a.m. to noon discussion of future Journey of Hope activities, including an Oct. 24 rally and march to the Texas Capitol. |
For more details about the conference, visit www.smu.edu/humanrights or email humanrights@smu.edu.
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